By: KATIE WORKMAN, Associated Press

If you have an avid cook or food lover in your life, gift opportunities These days are so broad and deep. You can find original ingredients and creative blends in physical stores and online. The global pantry is calling. Also in most cases the packaging is gorgeous!

Many of these affordable luxury items can be stuffed into a stocking, but they also make great gifts for a co-worker, mailman, niece or teacher. As a slightly compulsive and obsessive gift giver, matching the right edible treat to the recipient is my favorite (another great gift option!).

All of these items cost under $50, but they make a big splash.

Let’s go!

Oh, he’s crazy

Two Chinese American friends took the flavors of their favorite childhood treats and transformed them into desserts ready to spread on toast, apples, or simply eat with a spoon. Radical Fee Sells spreads like Crispy Black Sesame Paste (inspired by tang yuan, Lunar New Year dessert ), Pineapple Cake Cashew Crunch and Chinese Almond Cookie Crunch. $15 per jar.

Il Colle del Gusto She makes some sweet and unusual nut-based spreads with an Italian twist: Coarse Hazelnuts and Cocoa, Crunchy Pistachios and Sicilian Pistachios, all blended with olive oil. Dip them in ice cream and spread on toast. Each jar is under $10.

Related: Sesame lovers will appreciate a variety of tahini products like Chocolate Sesame Sauce or a bowl of flaky, melt-in-your-mouth halva in flavors like cardamom and pistachio. Seed + Mill. Some great gift sets are available for under $50.

crispiest

Chile crispy condiments has taken the cooking world by storm and there are some extremely talented options out there.

Fly By Jing carries a wide assortment of Asian-inspired chile paste, and there are some. attractively packaged gift sets for the holidays. The mini sampler set costs about $20.

aptly named Chile Crisis It sells a variety of crunchy flavors, including hot, chipotle, mild and original, for about $13 per jar.

Somos’ Salsa Macha Mexican Chili Crisps are bursting with texture, thanks to plenty of nuts and seeds. Pour these spicy and crunchy toppings on everything from avocado toast to tacos, and try something sweeter on ice cream! The gift set for two comes with a cute spoon for $35.

I feel spoiled

Chef Patricia Quintana has created a line of salsas, sauces, dressings and condiments that preserve the heritage of traditional Mexican cuisine. Treat someone to a jar of Achiote sauce or Pineapple Habanero Salsa (and hope you get invited to the next meal). $15 to $20 per jar.

ever heard Secret Aardvark sauces? It may be tempting to spread the word. This Caribbean/Tex-Mex seasoning line has a huge following for what they call “kick-in-your-mouth flavor.” There are many options, including Drunken Jerk Jamaican Pickle and Aardvark Habanero Hot Sauce. They cost $10 each, with combo packs starting at $20.

something suspicious

canned fish it’s also having a blockbuster culinary moment (and in most cases, the packaging is super fun). Pisces wife They preserve ethically sourced fish like salmon, anchovies, and trout from around the world in attractive gift boxes for under $50.

La Narval It focuses on fish and sauce combinations, such as mussels with Spanish sauce. Each box is about $10.

Just one bite

Beverages Bakery creates appetizing snacks with flavor profiles that will pair perfectly with your favorite drinks. Enjoy the Lancashire Cheese and Spring Onion biscuit with a hoppy IPA or sauvignon blanc. Serve Parmesan, Toasted Pine Nuts and Basil biscuits with whiskey highball or champagne. Choose from small or larger boxes.

oil and vinegar

I can’t think of a food gift I’m happier with than a high-quality bottle of oil or vinegar, one of the most used items in my kitchen. of Bona Fortuna Sicilian olive oil varieties are fresh and fragrant, while aged balsamic vinegars are intense, sweet and rich. For example, Modena’s Invecchiato 7-Year Balsamic Vinegar retails for $44.95; Forte Extra Virgin Olive Oil from $10.95 to $39.95.

Olive oil in metaphor It comes in a beautiful bottle and is a nice introduction to Portuguese olive oil. 40 dollars.

Alvear makes very nice Andalusian sherry vinegars. Consider gifting one of the bottles to the salad makers and Spanish chefs in your life. sweet And dryabout 20 dollars.

fancy pants

Tartuflanghe produces all kinds of luxury items featuring white and black truffles. Up your cooking game with truffle butters in flavors like porcini or anchovy (about $10 each). Get a box of decadent, truffle-flavored Tartufissima 19 for $32. Or how about a small jar of black truffles that look like caviar and are the most elegant way to finish a risotto or deviled egg ($40)?

sweet delicacies

It’s season for sweet things, but there’s no need to settle for the same old candy.

sanding machines It’s known for its decadent, chocolate-covered caramels, and there are some limited-edition flavors available this holiday season. Know someone who might enjoy a bag of bourbon, maple, or mint, dark chocolate, sea salt caramel? Yes! $10.

Maybe you’ve seen Lady M’s elegant layered crepe cakes? Well this holiday, try the more portable and capable ones Holiday Crepe Biscuit Collection. The eight wedge-shaped boxes contain a delicate crepe biscuit with fillings like vanilla, chocolate hazelnut and green tea. $28.

André’s Confiserie Suisse produces handmade chocolates with deep, rich taste, the result of generations of Swiss chocolate-making expertise. Some of the more unusual classics include Nussbergerli Sticks, a mixture of caramel, candied orange peel and hazelnuts, covered in dark or milk chocolate, as well as a delightful assortment of chocolate-covered almonds. Also check out the almond-filled chocolate pine cones, which make a cute edible ornament. Bids start at $7.

There are chocolate bars and then there are chocolate bars. On: chocolate scienceIt’s hard to decide between creative confections. Burnt Caramel Hawaiian Sea Salt? A S’Mores Bar with organic graham crackers and vegan marshmallows? You may need to buy several for $10 each.

Bakers you know will love playing with dough Salted Caramel Bits From Kitty Keller. These fudge-like sprinkles are made from butter and salted caramel in Brittany, France, and can be used to finish off any sweet treat with a crunchy little flourish. $12.

I could go on (it’s pretty obvious), but suffice it to say that a little special treat can make a big impact. These socks won’t fill up on their own!

First Publication Date: November 20, 2024 13:17 CST